OROVILLE — The next chapter in the library and fire station funding discussions is set for Tuesday as the Butte County Board of Supervisors is slated to hear a report on the first phase of the county’s polling process to determine the viability of a potential ballot measure.
Earlier this year, the county went through a strenuous budgeting process that nearly led to heavy cutbacks in library hours and the closure of three rural fire stations during the winter. Board meetings with budget items, and even some without, saw protests from residents concerned with the possible loss of services and public safety in rural communities.
During the final budget hearing, the board pivoted and provided a temporary solution for both issues by utilizing some of the limited dollars reserved for emergencies with the caveat that the county looks into alternative funding sources to keep the libraries open in their current state while also finding money to keep the three Amador fire stations open through the winter.
The result was bringing in outside firms CivX and FM3 to conduct outreach in the county and get a general idea of public opinion on whether a tax increase could win at the ballot box.
According to the staff report on Tuesday’s meeting agenda, the first phase of this project has been completed and the board will receive an update on the firm’s findings. Phase one consists of both polling and opinion research to help the county get an idea of how to sculpt a potential measure.
The second phase of the project consists of campaigning to show the public what kind of funding would be needed to keep both the libraries and fire stations open.
While the item will be informational, there will likely be a discussion on where to go from here.
Other business
Aside from hearing a report on ballot polling, the board will oversee the following items:
• The board will consider supporting a change to legislation to ultimately consider hauled water as a permanent source of water. Many of those living in burn scar areas within Butte County have water tanks and are receiving outside water to fill those tanks. To acquire building permits, the state requires that a permanent water source be identified.
• A vote will be held on whether to approve a roughly $1.1 million purchase for new land management software. If approved, the money will come from the PG&E settlement fund.
• Multiple contracts are up for renewal including health officer, agricultural commissioner and public works director.
The Butte County Board of Supervisors generally meets at 9 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at its chambers located at 25 County Center Drive, Suite 205 in Oroville. Meetings are free and open to the public.